Rare Bow Porcelain Blue & White Sauce Boat Chinese Figures c.1762-1765 Sauceboat

An attractive Bow porcelain press moulded sauceboat painted in underglaze blue with an interesting pair of vignettes with figures in oriental garden landscapes. One has a Chinese gentleman standing in front of a small cabinet with what appears to be an incense burner on top, wafting its perfume into the air and a flowering plant in a vase nearby. The other side is a bit of a mystery to me. It shows another gentleman, but seemingly in a European outfit and hat with feather, kneeling down to insert some stick type implements into the top of a square container, also with a flowering plant in a vase, and small flocks of birds above. If anyone can enlighten me as to what is actually happening, I should love to know! A cell border decorates both sides of the rim and around the foot. The front has an elaborate lotus flower arrangement, replicated to the inside along with other floral sprays. The relief moulded detail to the walls is of flowering garlands and scrolled edging to the reserves. Distinctive shaped handle finished with small blue floral details. Unmarked, c.1762-1765.